Firmware of subsystems included in an information processing apparatus is divided according to functions so as to include data areas containing first version information. Second version information indicating a version of the entire firmware based on the first version information of the data areas. The information processing apparatus includes: an update reception unit in a first subsystem that receives a request for updating firmware and firmware updating data containing third version information; a determination unit in a second subsystem that compares the second version information with the third version information to determine which of the data areas needs to be updated; and a partial update execution unit that requests the first subsystem to transmit a data portion of the firmware updating data corresponding to the data area determined to need to be updated, and stores the data portion in a storage unit.